Republic of China, 1928: Starting from a Wonton Shop

Dogskin Old Six thoroughly enjoyed this meal.

"Manager Li, let me tell you the truth," he whispered in Li Chunsheng's ear, his breath reeking of alcohol, "I bet the mink fur that went missing from the south suburb warehouse wasn't stolen at all. It's probably just that bastard Hu Chou Chou who lost his mind at the gambling table and used this as an excuse! The high-ranking officials know he's lying, but they can't do anything about it; they have to save face. So, we just arrested a few homeless people to appease him. Don't worry, just focus on doing business."

Li Chunsheng glanced at Lao Wu: "Oh? So that's how it is! Then the security of Beiping City still depends on you sensible people like Sixth Brother."

"That's right!" Dogskin Six patted his chest proudly. "Who doesn't know that I, Dogskin Six, am the pillar of strength outside the front gate?"

Xiao Wu, who had been silent all along, was busy refilling drinks for several patrol officers. He moved quickly and seemed simple and honest, but he had actually listened to every word they said.

"Alright! Manager Li! I'll be going now, I have errands to run!" Old Liu stood up, a little unsteady on his feet.

"Sixth Brother, I'm afraid you can't investigate this anymore?"

"It's alright, it's alright! Let's go!"

After Dog Skin Old Six and his gang left, burping contentedly and carrying the two extra bags of braised meat that Li Chunsheng had given them, Yunniang let out a heavy sigh.

"Phew! They're finally gone."

"Sister-in-law, it's alright." Li Chunsheng walked to the door, cupped his hands to Goupi Laoliu who was turning back, and returned to the restaurant. At this time, there were no customers in the restaurant. "Goupi Laoliu is the kind of person who is greedy and cowardly. As long as you give him face and money, he is easier to talk to than anyone else."

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On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, the dough is prepared.

As this old Beijing folk song is sung in the alleys, the festive atmosphere of the New Year in Beiping (Beijing) is getting stronger and stronger. Although everyone is not rich, the New Year is still the biggest festival.

The curtains at Li's Restaurant were frozen stiff. Li Chunsheng was breathing on them as he directed Xiao Wu to tidy up the tables and chairs.

"Boss, after we sell this pot of braised pork today, shouldn't we close the stove?" Xiao Wu asked while working.

Li Chunsheng nodded: "Yes, we've been busy all year. Although it's only been a little over a month for me, we should all take a break for the New Year."

As they were talking, the curtain was lifted, and a biting cold wind rushed in.

The newcomer was dressed in a neat dark gray woolen overcoat and wore a top hat; it was Feng Liu.

"Oh, Master Feng! Why did you come all this way in this freezing weather?" Li Chunsheng hurriedly went to greet him, and gave Xiao Wu a wink, "Quickly, brew a pot of tea to warm Master Feng up."

Feng Liu took off his hat and patted off the snow: "Manager Li, you're too kind. I won't drink the tea. I'm not here to sit idly today; I'm here to deliver a message for my master."

Li Chunsheng's heart skipped a beat. If it was something that made Feng Liu personally make the trip, it must be something related to Mr. Mei.

"Master has a big show at Guanghe Tower tonight." Feng Liu's brows furrowed with worry. "He's been rehearsing for days, but he hasn't had much of an appetite. This morning he suddenly mentioned that he misses your braised pork and wontons, and he specifically asked me to have you personally deliver them to the theater backstage tonight."

"Deliver it personally?" Li Chunsheng was slightly taken aback.

"Exactly." Feng Liu nodded. "Manager Li, this is the first time our master has specifically requested that someone be sent to the back of the restaurant. There are very few people in Beiping who have such a respectable attitude."

"Since Mr. Mei has honored me with his presence, I, Li Chunsheng, have no reason to refuse." Li Chunsheng cupped his hands in greeting. "Sixth Master, rest assured, I will be waiting at the entrance of Guanghe Restaurant with a steaming hot food box before seven o'clock."

"Chunsheng, why did you have to deliver it yourself?"

"Maybe they don't trust anyone else to deliver it," Li Chunsheng replied, then turned to Old Wu and Xiao Wu, "Mr. Wu, Da Hu, we're on holiday tomorrow. Are you going back to your hometown or staying in Beiping?"

"I'm in Beiping now," Old Wu sighed. "There aren't many people left in my hometown."

"Okay, then we'll officially open for business on the third day of the Lunar New Year. Don't forget!"

"Don't worry, boss. See you on the third day of the lunar new year."

After seeing Lao Wu and Xiao Wu off, the restaurant door closed again. Li Chunsheng looked at Yunniang and Yaya and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, after we finish Mr. Mei's order tonight, we'll officially close down. I'll stew an extra pot of braised pork so we can have a good New Year ourselves."

For Mr. Mei's meal, Li Chunsheng specially chose the pork belly that had just been delivered by Butcher Zheng that morning, which was originally intended for his own consumption.

This meat must have three layers of lean meat and two layers of fat, with thick skin and springy texture. Li Chunsheng stood in the kitchen, sharpened his knife, and cut the meat into neat, square pieces.

Without adding a drop of oil, put the meat in a dry pan and simmer over low heat until the excess fat in the pork belly sizzles out and the meat pieces turn slightly browned. This is the secret to making it fatty but not greasy.

Remove the meat and oil and set aside. Pour in rock sugar, leaving a little lard in the pot. Let the rock sugar melt slowly in the hot pot, stirring constantly. The color will change from light yellow to dark red. After it bubbles, add the meat pieces and three dried chilies to enhance the flavor and cut through the greasiness.

The wontons were also made anew, with thin wrappers and generous fillings. A little bit of ground dried shrimp was added to the meat filling, and the soup base was a rich broth made from old hen bones and pork bones. The oil was skimmed off, and the soup was clear as water, with a delicious flavor that penetrated to the bone.

At 5:15 PM, the snow began to fall sparsely again.

Li Chunsheng carried two specially made thick cotton food boxes, walked around Qianmen Street, and turned into the alley where Guanghelou was located from Zhushikou.

The entrance to the theater was already packed with all sorts of horse-drawn carriages, and even several flashy Ford cars. Li Chunsheng could hear the sound of the erhu inside the theater, as well as the cheers from the audience; the warm-up martial arts performance was about to begin.

"Manager Li, this way please." Feng Liu was already waiting at the back door, leading Li Chunsheng straight to Mr. Mei's private private room.

As soon as the curtain was lifted, the temperature in the room rose sharply, and it became much quieter.

In front of the mirror in the center of the private room, Mei Lanfang had already applied his makeup.

He was sitting there drawing the final strokes on his eyebrows, wearing a magnificent theatrical costume. His refined and noble demeanor could not be concealed even amidst the mess in the room.

"Sir, Manager Li has delivered the goods," Feng Liu reported softly.

Mr. Mei turned around and said, "Boss Li, you've worked hard. It's snowing, and you still made this trip."

"It's my honor that Mr. Mei enjoys the food at our humble shop." Li Chunsheng opened the food box and placed a porcelain bowl of braised pork and a steaming bowl of wontons on the table.

The dark red chunks of meat and the snow-white wonton soup looked especially tempting backstage, and the sweet aroma of the meat instantly overpowered the smell of perfume in the room.

Mr. Mei picked up the spoon, took a sip of soup, and his slightly tired brows and eyes instantly relaxed.

"This meat tastes even better than last time!" Mr. Mei said softly, savoring a piece of braised pork. "Boss Li, with your skills, you would definitely be famous in peaceful times."

Li Chunsheng smiled bitterly, "Mr. Mei, all we want is to make a living. Everyone says that in times of chaos, we are not in control of our own destiny, but I believe in the saying, 'Self-discipline leads to peace.'"

"Self-discipline brings peace, a good saying indeed," Mei Lanfang pointed to a round stool covered with a soft cushion in the corner: "Boss Li, if there's nothing urgent in the shop, why not sit down and rest for a bit? It's snowing heavily outside, have some hot tea before you go."